Theme: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

The Word of God gives us our lives in this world.

The Word of God gives us eternal life in Christ.

The Word of God gives us our lives in this world.

God will preserve our lives

1st article

Our callings: identity/ lives given to us by God through His Word/ Commandment [ie…Honor your father and mother. Husbands, love your wives. Wives, submit to your own husbands…etc. Table of Duties in catechism]

Certainty that our work, etc. is pleasing to God.

Certainty for life in the Church

Order: Church is built by Word and Sacrament. Pastors have the highest office in the church. Yet the pastoral office, instituted by Christ, is ministry of service. Church life regulated by the Word of the Lord, by love that submits itself to the brother where God leaves us free.

Worship: Preaching of the pure Gospel. Right administration of the sacraments. Freedom in ceremonies for the sake of the edification of the church (ie not freedom to do whatever we want, but freedom to do what best serves the preaching of the Gospel…including concern that the hearers understand, but also concern that our use of freedom does not undermine the true unity of the Church in doctrine and administration of the sacraments.) The Word of the Lord gives us Divine Worship; it gives us the Gospel, Holy Baptism, Absolution, Christ’s body and blood, prayer, Scripture. We don’t create worship but receive it through the means of grace; then the fruits of faith–prayer, thanksgiving, giving, serving…etc. are generated in us by the faith given by the Spirit.

Preservation of the Church…the Lord’s Word builds church and preserves it. The Lord gives the church. We work in the Church, but the Lord preserves it and makes it grow.

Certainty in prayer–given in the Word that commands us to pray and promises that we will be heard.

A good conscience–given through the Gospel and Sacraments by Holy Spirit

The Word of God gives us eternal life in Christ.

“The monster of uncertainty”…not being sure about the Word of God is unbelief.

The devil works to get us into a position where we violate our conscience and do what we believe to be wrong, or what we are uncertain about.

Willful sin destroys faith. But where the devil can’t put our conscience to sleep, he works to make us uncertain all the time–inventing sins, constantly telling us that for one reason or another we are not allowed to take hold of the comfort of the Gospel of Jesus for ourselves.

Jesus our substitute

His Baptism…He takes our guilt

Temptation…He overcomes in our place

Death…He atones for our sins.

Jesus our Priest

Sacrifice

Intercession

Our brother

Tempted as we

Conquered for us.

His promises are our defense and certainty.

Word (Scripture passages, Catechism)

Holy Baptism

Absolution

Sacrament of the Altar

Their use in prayer (certainty)

Our teacher. (sensei?)

Teaches us faith and prayer through temptation

Teaches us combat with Satan.

The author and finisher of our faith.

He has completed our reconciliation with God.

He will bring to completion the good work that He began

Your personal salvation

The Church’s salvation.

Conclusion

The Word gives us our lives/callings in this world.

The Word of Christ gives us everlasting life when our consciences are uncertain, proclaiming Christ who is God’s “Yes” to us.

The peace of God, which passes understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.